Collaborative School Leadership

Practical Strategies for Principals

Ron Nash and Kathleen Hwang

In Collaborative School Leadership, Nash and Hwang provide administrators with clear and focused ideas on making the most of collaborative leadership while on the path to continuous improvement. Recognizing that classroom instruction is at the core of any plan of improvement, this book looks at the role and nature of powerful building-level professional development. Nash and Hwang provide answers to critical questions: As part of a school’s improvement efforts, what is non-negotiable? What are some barriers to progress, and how can they be overcome or removed? How can building administrators help teachers improve instruction? An extensive appendix provides principals and teacher leaders with ten lessons and an entire chapter is devoted to the kind of formative support that building administrators can provide in the pursuit of student progress. Finally, Nash and Hwang elaborate on the whole decision-making process, and differentiate between the kind of independent and interdependent reflection that is part of the relentless pursuit of continuous improvement at the building level. « lessmore »

Ron Nash is a former classroom teacher and administrator who has spent the last four decades in education. He is currently an educational consultant who lives with his wife, Candy, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Kathy Hwang taught kindergarten to sixth grade at the elementary and middle school levels, and served as an assistant principal and an organizational development specialist before becoming a principal. She was an elementary principal in Northern Virginia, where she resided with her husband and enjoyed time with her grandchildren.

In a book that helps administrators meet the challenges of the twenty-first century, Ron Nash and Kathy Hwang have provided practical strategies for beginning and veteran principals who seek to improve teacher collaboration and student learning. This book pulls all the pieces together to help building administrators develop thoughtful leadership skills.— Kay Burke, educational author and consultant

A practical, thought-provoking resource for principals who are serious about leading meaningful school improvement! This book clearly delineates the role of the school leader in creating a learning-centered environment for students through collaboration, a relentless focus on instruction, building staff capacity, and a commitment to continuous improvement.— Olwen E. Herron, assistant superintendent for academic services, Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools, Williamsburg, VA

Envision the angst any new or veteran principal encounters when facing the cold, hard facts . . . our school is in danger and in need of change! A professionally toxic culture, classrooms where learning is but a word, or a bus parking lot operating as a veritable mess; Kathy Hwang and Ron Nash offer hope and an action plan. The result is an administrator equipped with the skills and techniques necessary to build effective professional teams ready to tackle the school’s unique problems. Become the leader your school needs as you absorb the authors’ practical strategies for managing genuine problems drawn from considerable experience, philosophical discourse, educational research, and common sense.— Josh Whitlow, assistant principal, Hidden Valley High School, Roanoke, VA

Ron Nash and Kathy Hwang have combined their knowledge, creativity, and years of experience in the trenches to create this easy-to-read, practical guide. A must read for novice, mid-career, and veteran leaders at all levels and those who support them.— John P. O’Connor, staff development supervisor, Loudoun County Public Schools, Ashburn, VA

It is easy to read and practical. What a wealth of information! I think it is a wonderful resource and an excellent summer reading choice for administrators. Thank you for this valuable addition to my library.— Sherry Hall, elementary counselor, Frederick County Schools (Virginia)

Collaborative School Leadership

Practical Strategies for Principals

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Summary

Summary

In Collaborative School Leadership, Nash and Hwang provide administrators with clear and focused ideas on making the most of collaborative leadership while on the path to continuous improvement. Recognizing that classroom instruction is at the core of any plan of improvement, this book looks at the role and nature of powerful building-level professional development. Nash and Hwang provide answers to critical questions: As part of a school’s improvement efforts, what is non-negotiable? What are some barriers to progress, and how can they be overcome or removed? How can building administrators help teachers improve instruction? An extensive appendix provides principals and teacher leaders with ten lessons and an entire chapter is devoted to the kind of formative support that building administrators can provide in the pursuit of student progress. Finally, Nash and Hwang elaborate on the whole decision-making process, and differentiate between the kind of independent and interdependent reflection that is part of the relentless pursuit of continuous improvement at the building level.

Ron Nash is a former classroom teacher and administrator who has spent the last four decades in education. He is currently an educational consultant who lives with his wife, Candy, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Kathy Hwang taught kindergarten to sixth grade at the elementary and middle school levels, and served as an assistant principal and an organizational development specialist before becoming a principal. She was an elementary principal in Northern Virginia, where she resided with her husband and enjoyed time with her grandchildren.

In a book that helps administrators meet the challenges of the twenty-first century, Ron Nash and Kathy Hwang have provided practical strategies for beginning and veteran principals who seek to improve teacher collaboration and student learning. This book pulls all the pieces together to help building administrators develop thoughtful leadership skills.— Kay Burke, educational author and consultant

A practical, thought-provoking resource for principals who are serious about leading meaningful school improvement! This book clearly delineates the role of the school leader in creating a learning-centered environment for students through collaboration, a relentless focus on instruction, building staff capacity, and a commitment to continuous improvement.— Olwen E. Herron, assistant superintendent for academic services, Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools, Williamsburg, VA

Envision the angst any new or veteran principal encounters when facing the cold, hard facts . . . our school is in danger and in need of change! A professionally toxic culture, classrooms where learning is but a word, or a bus parking lot operating as a veritable mess; Kathy Hwang and Ron Nash offer hope and an action plan. The result is an administrator equipped with the skills and techniques necessary to build effective professional teams ready to tackle the school’s unique problems. Become the leader your school needs as you absorb the authors’ practical strategies for managing genuine problems drawn from considerable experience, philosophical discourse, educational research, and common sense.— Josh Whitlow, assistant principal, Hidden Valley High School, Roanoke, VA

Ron Nash and Kathy Hwang have combined their knowledge, creativity, and years of experience in the trenches to create this easy-to-read, practical guide. A must read for novice, mid-career, and veteran leaders at all levels and those who support them.— John P. O’Connor, staff development supervisor, Loudoun County Public Schools, Ashburn, VA

It is easy to read and practical. What a wealth of information! I think it is a wonderful resource and an excellent summer reading choice for administrators. Thank you for this valuable addition to my library.— Sherry Hall, elementary counselor, Frederick County Schools (Virginia)